The Kite - AKA- Hawk Eye

            The Kite is a 3.5m2 Double Parasled Kite. Its made from Blue Nylon, and Fiberglass Spars. I downloaded the Basic Pattern here http://www.kites.org/tmr/parasled_engl.htm  Lindsey and I cut the pattern while adding seams where necessary and with her instruction and expertise took turns sewing it all together.  Lindsey’s prior experience with shirt sleeves helped greatly because planning all the seems was complicated involving flipping it inside out over and over again. We used scrap canvas and a tarp grommet kit to reinforce the tie points, then a simple swivel clip was used to attach it to 200lb kite line. We then improvised two very simple tails on the road. These are made of two strong nylon ribbons and are attached with safety pins to the end cells of the kite. The ribbons worked well to stabilize the kite in flight, with them in place and a little experimentation with the leads we were able to get the kite into stable flight. It pulled great in high-winds to a point where both hands were needed to hold the reel. After a few minutes of stable flight and some good lift we would attach camera and rig.

A few shots of making the Kite.

Lindsey plotting the pattern

Learning to Sew

The Kite in Flight